NEWPORT – Authentic 19th-century horse-drawn carriages will be on parade for view to the public for free throughout Newport in the Preservation Society of Newport County’s Weekend of Coaching held Aug. 16-19.
“This event gives us an opportunity to feel the spirit of life in the Gilded Age, when coaching was not only a mode of transportation but a social and sporting activity,” Preservation Society CEO and Executive Director Trudy Coxe said in a statement.
Drivers, also known as “whips” in the world of coaching, who will participate in the four-day event are: S. Tucker S. Johnson of Hobe Sound, Fla.; Timothy J. Butterfield, of Derry, N.H.; Frederick E. Eayrs Jr., of Middleboro, Mass.; Walter F. Eayrs, of Burrillville; William G. Ginns, of Skeffington, U.K.; John Frazier Hunt, of Spring City, Pa.; Herbert Kohler, of Kohler, Wis.; Charles T. Matheson of Middleburg, Va.; James and Misdee Miller, of Sarasota, Fla.; William R. Staples of The Plains, Va.; Harvey W. Waller, of Stockbridge, Mass.; John White, of Newton, N.J.; Gloria Austin, of Weirsdale, Fla; and Rae Fischer of Ontario, Canada.
The daily routes are available on the Preservation Society’s website. In addition, BankNewport will sponsor a free-to-the-public driving exhibition on the grounds of The Elms starting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18, and the weekend will culminate with a formal dinner and dance at The Breakers Saturday evening.
The honorary chair of the weekend is Lynda Lindh. Kenneth M. P. Lindh and Beverly Little are co-chairs of the weekend.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
